go over like a lead balloon
English
editAlternative forms
editEtymology
editPresumably from go over (“to be received”), used as if literally (“to travel above”): a lead balloon would not travel well through the air.
Verb
editgo over like a lead balloon (third-person singular simple present goes over like a lead balloon, present participle going over like a lead balloon, simple past went over like a lead balloon, past participle gone over like a lead balloon)
- (simile) To fail to gain acceptance: to be received poorly.